NOW Begins DNA Testing Probiotics to Ensure Strain Identity

NOW, based in Illinois, has augmented the company’s testing capabilities with new equipment to verify the identity and purity of the company’s key probiotic products.

It recently installed the Dupont RiboPrinter System, which uses DNA-fingerprinting technology to identify specific strains of bacteria, as well as unknown microorganisms.

While accuracy of DNA testing for herbal products is somewhat controversial in the industry, according to the company, its use in microbial testing is well established in sterile manufacturing or food processing plants and in hospitals, for example. DNA use in verifying probiotic strains is a newer application of the technology, and NOW is the first dietary supplement brand to have this advanced quality capability in house.

“Each specific strain is verified on our RiboPrinter against a database of documented strains to assure safety and efficacy,” said Rick Sharpee, PhD, NOW’s director of science and nutrition. “NOW’s microbial testing capabilities have always been among the best in class, but this takes us to a new level.”

The company can now guarantee that the strain on the label is in the bottle. A special logo on the bottle will show that the probiotics have been verified.

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